Street racing is a normal way of life in the Midwest. In fact, if you have ever cruised through the Midwest on a warm summer night and you heard the rumble of a V6 or V8 engine, the chances are very high that you might have witnessed a street race.
Last summer, I was hanging out on some backroad near Springfield, Illinois, when a couple of Camaros came roaring up, racing each other hard. I could hear the tires squeal from a distance. I looked over at my friend Jake, and said, “How do they even pick a spot like this?” He laughed, rubbing his hands on his jeans, and goes, “Man, Word just gets around.”
That night made me a fan of Midwest Street racing, and I’ve been chasing it from Missouri to Iowa ever since. Here’s everything about Midwest Street racing, from the history, the badass cars tearing up the roads, popular racetracks, and what happens when the law gets involved.
How did Midwest Street racing start?
Not too long after World War II, a number of kids were messing with old cars in their area. Those kids turned their farm roads into racetracks by pushing abandoned Fords and Chevys. The bets were simple, like five bucks on whose scrap could move fastest. That’s how it took off in places like Missouri and Oklahoma.
By the ‘60s, a lot of muscle cars came to the scene, and made it more interesting. Automobile beasts like Pontiac GTOs and Dodge Chargers roared down empty stretches. A guy near Kansas City once raced his rough ‘Cuda against a buddy’s Mustang, kicking up gravel as he won. It was all about that raw thrill, nothing fancy.
Midwest Street Cars, Street Outlaws, and No Prep Kings
Midwest Street Cars is a popular auto shop in the heart of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, known for building very fast cars. They do not build from scratch – they tune things up. Cars like Pontiac Firebirds and Chevy Novas are turned into beasts. It’s a hub for Midwest Street racers looking to boost their rides for backroad battles.
In the early ‘90s, Justin Shearer started it as a hangout spot with his friends to tweak as many car engines as they could find. Over time, they began to upgrade ordinary cars into powerful race engines that have potential across the Midwest racing scene. Their builds became legends, driving the region’s street racing craze to new heights.
Street Outlaws is a TV show that put the spotlight on Midwest racing, starring Big Chief and his crew from the shop. Oklahoma racers decided to film their late-night street battles, and that was the idea of the TV show.
No Prep Kings is a racing series that started with wilder Street Outlaws energy. Big Chief and others set up races on raw tracks with no prep for grip. It pulls Midwest drivers with cars built for power, hosting big events that spark local street racing hype. No Prep Kings fuels Midwest racing by keeping the gritty, high-stakes vibe alive.
Where is Midwest Street Racing Today?
Street racing is still alive and kicking in the Midwest, although things are more discreet across small towns and big cities . You’ll find it on quiet backroads in Missouri or abandoned lots near Chicago, where guys line up their rides at night. The scene has grown beyond just local bets, now they pull crowds from as far as Kansas or Ohio.
The influence of the TV shows remains the same, with Street Outlaws still inspiring kids to wrench on their own cars. You could randomly stumble upon a YouTube clip showing a roaring black Nova. Social media’s in on it too, street guys make posts about lowkey race spots in coded group chats, dodging the cops like CJ in Grand Theft Auto V.
No Prep Kings has become bigger and better, as they turn rough tracks into a testing ground for the toughest racers. Their events draw big names and hundreds of fans packing in to watch cars fight for grip on Midwest dirt and asphalt. It’s messy, loud, and pure street racing, keeping the region’s rep alive.
Cops crack down harder these days, so the racers are always evolving, by moving spots, racing fast, and scattering quick. The real action stays underground, fueled by word of mouth. From Oklahoma’s panhandle to Indiana’s cornfields, it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Legal spots like Slinger Speedway near Wisconsin offer a safer way to catch Midwest racing vibes. It’s a solid option if you’re craving speed without the heat.
Is Street Racing Legal in the Midwest?
No, street racing is illegal in the entire Midwest. States like Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois don’t allow racing on public roads. That’s a fast ticket to trouble with the law.
What Are the Penalties for Street Racing?
If you are caught street racing in the Midwest, there are many things that could happen. You could face a fine, get your car towed or your driving license revoked. In bad cases, you might face jail time. I heard of a guy in Kansas who lost his ride for a month over a quick quarter-mile run.
What is Considered Street Racing?
Street racing is any showdown where cars compete on public roads for speed. No matter how spontaneous it looks, it is usually planned, whether on a quiet street or a backroad with a crowd. Here are three big types you’ll run into out there:
Drag Racing
Drag racing involves two cars, moving side by side, racing down a straight stretch like a quarter-mile. It’s quick, loud, and the king of street racing around here.
Cannonball Runs
Cannonball runs are longer races, where racers blast across counties or even states for glory. It’s not about gathering a crowd, but more about hitting checkpoints, dodging traffic on highways like I-70.
Roll Racing
In roll racing, cars start off slowly, usually 30 or 40 mph, then start pushing full throttle. You’ll spot this on Midwest interstates or wide-open roads, where racers test top-end speed. If you’re into car culture, Wisconsin Car Shows has some events that vibe with this energy legally.